merry jingles

Well…the enforced dieting occasioned by the gastro bug I caught from Skye finally left in time for me to enjoy everything on offer on Christmas Eve, a feast with a Portuguese flavour, mainly their specialty salted codfish dishes, bacalhau (had to look up how to spell it)

There was bacalhau with boiled potatoes and Chinese broccoli, doesn’t sound very attractive but it was delicious as was the shredded codfish mixed with fried potatoes, onions, garlic etc. yummy! Then there were the prawns, the salads, my Mexican dip. If that were not enough, the dessert table groaned with strawberry shortcake, chocolate tarts. Portuguese tarts, Molotov (a Portuguese version of pavlova, soft with a lovely syrup) and my favourite, a sort of baked custard with caramel syrup.

And Christmas hadn’t even started yet.

When we got to Eddie’s house we had to wait until Mathew was asleep before Santa could put the presents under the tree. Finally at 2 am we could retire.

‘Daddy, is that big present mine? Can I open it?’ Mathew at the top of his lungs. His voice can’t half penetrate. Five pairs of bleary adult eyes opened…it was 6.30am.

Lego’s shares must have gone up 50% this Christmas. What with Lego diggers, Lego police trucks, a Lego table put up by dad, and the piece de resistance, Lego Buzz Light which took Melissa’s boyfriend Mark about 2 hours to put together.





Glad I opted for clothes. Mathew never took off his Steven Gerard soccer outfit all day...well... almost. More on that later. 

Annika loved her disco jacket (from the UK) and the dresses Kit and I bought at Braidwood quilt fair in November but her disco pants itched her legs. Too bad.

Annika with itchy dico pants



Lunch consisted of two whole snappers, one cooked on the barbecue and the other in the Hewer’s new oven. Not that it was a competition or anything!!!! There was little to choose between them but we think the oven-baked one had the edge. Melissa roasted a chicken with stuffing to die for. Sorry but I’m going to have to ditch Krista’s grandmother’s recipe for this one. It's the feta cheese that did it. Melissa also made a sumptuous dessert, alas not destined for our table but for Mark's later. Never mind we had more than enough to be going on with.



Melissa lashing on the cream



One by one we catnapped throughout the day although Mathew’s nap had consequences for the couch and the Steven Gerard soccer shorts. Poor kid was so ashamed it took him ages to come and video skype with Skye who was doing Christmas with Oma, Opa and cousins in Taree.

Skye with Oma, Opa & cousins

It took three trips up the stairs to my flat to offload the two pans for my new induction cooktop,(how I love that!!!) the Slogis, the photo calendar, the Merle Regle Crossword Book, the mug, the lotions, the Chai Tea, the chocolates etc.

Boxing Day: Kit and I went to see that marvellous film, The King’s Speech. If that doesn’t win any Oscars I don’t know what will.

Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas as much as I did

weekend from hell

It promised so much: spending time with the grandchildren. I was looking forward to it.

Friday: started routinely enough, cute baby Skye full of smiles, appetitie a bit iffy but no biggy. When she couldn't settle for her morning nap I left her for a while (a la Tizzie Hall's highly disciplined book about settling babies) but she kept whingeing. Poor kid, poo everwhere, the kind where you don't know how to pick her up without being covered yourself. Cleaned her up, changed the bed, topped her up with formula and she slept.

She woke up all smiles (she's so sunny) but low on energy. Ready for a nap after 2 hours. Same routine as before, couldn't settle, found her sitting back against the cot rails in a puddle of you know what. This time she needed a bath. So did I. My top was dotted with the stuff. Yuk.

A phone call: 'Hi Pauline, I've had a car accident, I'm in emergency in RPA. Can you come?' My friend Kit sounded drugged. Luckily Maxine was home, and offered to take care of Mathew and Annika that night (I was supposed to have them over the weekend while the parents went gallivanting in the Blue Mountains)

I raced off to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Fortunately Kit's injuries weren't serious but her little red Mazda sports car did not fare so well. It's a write off.  I took her home that evening.

Saturday: after ascertaining that Kit was okay and had help, I called Maxine and Dirk. I could hear Mathew at full volume in the background, (their house is so echoey). Dirk sounded weary. It was only 9 o'clock. They were trapped, no car seat for Mathew. I put in a call to the parents.They have 2 car seats, surely one of them was around somewhere!  Ed sounded weary, but for different reasons, late night partying with bourbon. 'Sorry mum, we have one and the other is in the other car...locked and we have the keys.' Cris came up with a solution, 'buy another one.' At Big W in Campsie I found the cheapest legal car seat they had, ($60.00)

I arrived at Maxine and Dirk's at the same time as their dog for the weekend. The air was electric, Annika cowering and screaming, Mathew yelling and jumping, the dog running round in circles and barking, and the baby laughing with delight. (did I mention how sunny she is?) We removed the source of the dog's agitation, namely Annika and Mathew to a garage sale next door. After a walk all was calm. I took the kids away after lunch, to their house to pick up swimming gear (lucky I have house keys ) and some Lego.

To the strains of Alice in Wonderland and Toy Story CDs (acquired from Santa at the Day Care Centre party I missed the night before) we arrived at my flat. I was in need of a seriously large and strong cup of tea. The kids obliged by playing quietly and agreeably. After dark I took the kids round the neighbourhood looking at the Christmas decorations. They really turn it on (literally) in Belfield. We all fell into bed at 10pm, I don't know who was more exhausted, but I suspect it was me.

Sunday: 6.30am. Everyone awake. How do they do it? I thought kids were supposed to have 10 or 11 hours sleep a night! Apparently not. After breakfast the fun began...NOT.

Who would have thought a piece of vegemite toast could trigger such an avalanche. I dashed to the toilet...and again...and again...I'd caught Skye's tummy bug. Oh dear. I'd promised swimming pool action, I couldn't let the kids down, figured that if  I didn't eat anything I'd cope. I was nauseated but managed to hold my own (literally) through the 3 hours at the pool. But as the kids munched on hot chips I began to sag, called the parents to pick up the kids as soon as they could rather than me taking them to their house as previously arranged. They left at 4.30 and I slept for 3 hours.

Post Script: Kit is doing okay but probably has a cracked sternum. It has taken 5 days for me to feel 80% alright. Still low on appetite but hey, could do with losing a few pounds. Will I be able to keep up the tiny meals, the bland diet? Probably not.  Christmas is around the corner.

first 'cockie' in the kitchen

Saw my first 'cockie' this morning. Now I know I'm really back in Sydney. It is lying dying from chemical spray on the kitchen floor. I know it's not PC but when it's me or them they gotta go!

Feet haven't touched the ground since I returned. Not sure what I've been doing but the time has whizzed by. Finished the Darwin-Broome video this week in time for the aqua christmas party next week.

Started working on the US road trip video. The video camera cleaning tape got stuck in Nashville and I couldn't tape any more. No worries, I thought, I'll just tape on the still camera. Good idea but when I play it back in Pinnacle it jumps, therefore is unusable. I can use some of the audio, eg my Jason CD playing in the car although on reflection, playing the CD will be better, but from Nashville on it will be still pictures. Ah well I'll just have to download good music, which my new Pinnacle film-making software can do from I-tunes, yeah!!! It was difficult in the previous version of Studio.

View from Greenwich house

Had Christmas lunch yesterday with my writing friends in Greenwich, at a house in a beautiful location. Pity it was pouring with rain. We are off over the Christmas period.

Had a fun day at Braidwood quilt fair last Saturday, took lots of pics especially for my sister Maxine who is a quilter. One of the best bits was stopping at Roses Cafe in Goulbourn for breakfast on the way, and to pick up one of their delicious pies on the way back. It is a yummy place.





In the evening saw Menopause the Musical at Revesby Workers Club. The Barramundi was dried out to the point of not being able to pull all the flesh off the bones. As to the show, it was very funny in places but I felt as though a couple of characters overplayed it.

Seeing John Williamson at the local RSL club this weekend. I'm playing it safe and eating at my place first.

switch to travel log

Brilliant red sunrise this morning and a full moon last night. A portent for my forthcoming travels perhaps. Getting the plane to Darwin this morning, waiting for my ride. I will be posting mainly to the travel blog for the next 2 months,(site address to the right) so see you there.

Norfolk pine

The delicate smell of pine met me when I returned home this afternoon. I opened the door to my flat and was met by a flood of light, the likes of which I have never expereinced in the 11 years I've lived here.

Yes, the Norfolk pines have gone. Two stumps remain which are destined to be ground out. Two lillipillies have been planted in their place. Don't know how high they grow but the roots won't interfere with the sewage system by all accounts.

 I bet the magpie I noticed 'casing the joint' last week for a possible nesting site will have a shock. I shall miss the bird life but I do like the light.

My plants won't know what's hit them. I might have to buy different ones, the ones I always shunned in the nursery because they needed full sunlight.

My pink couch will fade even faster unless I remember to keep the curtains closed until the earth rotates out of range of the sun. BUT I might save a little on electricity. By now (mid afternoon) I've usually got at least one light on. Don't need it now.

Invasion of the BIEBERS

It all started last week at the hairdressers. I popped in to my local Korean beautician's (no appointment needed, I love it!) Looked at the finished product and thought 'Justin Bieber'. A bit of a stretch I know on a 70 year old face but it made me wonder if they'd had a run on Bieber haricut requests.

This morning I got up off the floor mattress where I've been trying to rest my back for the last 3 days to go shopping for victuals. Had to treat myself to a capuccino and croissant after days of eating leftovers. One of the men behind the counter had a full on Bieber, looked cute with jet black hair covering his right eye on his Asian face. I walked out sipping my frothy Joe and bumped into another Asian Bieber, this time full bleached blond. I'm sure they go to my hairdresser. They've been getting lots of practice.

Experiencing the second of two beautiful days although yesterday passed me by.  I can't remember ever having a day when the TV was on ALL DAY. What is happening to me! Am I heading for Blobdom? I did at least do a little work, researching and bookmarking magazines to which to submit articles and I put all my email addresses on my netbook computer, thereby salving my consience somewhat.

Toss Up

It's a toss up in more than one sense of the word, the political debate or Masterchef finale. The pollies had the sense to move the debate one hour before the most anticipated TV show of the year. Even if a million tuned in to watch the debate I expect there was a mass turn off for the post mortem.

Now I say 'debate'. We all know that does not happen any more between politicians. They are so scared of putting a foot wrong they mouth platitudes, mild vision statements or in the case of Tony Abbot, the opposition leader, slag the government at every opportunity playing fast and loose with the truth and churning out bags of hyperbole. This is a man who by his own admission sometimes does not tell the truth.

There were more words said about boats of refugees than old people and aged care. Come to think of it NOTHING was discussed about that. Not a hot issue obviously. Schools and health care were brushed over lightly. In short it was a nothing event with no one coming out on top. Oh dear. I'd been hoping for more from Julia Gillard, the new PM. We go to the polls on Aug 21. After last night's performance a lot of people will be wondering which way to jump. In other words it's a toss up.

The really important thing is that ADAM won Masterchef. I think I will buy his cookbook when it is published. He is imaginative and skilfull and favours Asian dishes. The good thing is that the 20 year old runner up, Callum received an offer to cook on one of the panelist's kitchens (The Press Club) with $10,000 to help with expenses of the move to Melbourne.

A major problem. How to deal with the withdrawal symptoms now that the program is over!
One thing will help; planning my forthcoming trips. See the new travel blog for details.
http://travelswithpauline.blogspot.com
Bearing in mind it is a work in progress at present.

"THEY WEAR NAPPIES GRANDMA!"

This is what Annika whispered in my ear as we passed the 'pokies' section of St. George Leagues Club this week. She'd seen a program on TV about people who are so loath to leave the poker machines for ANYTHING they wet their knickers rather than go to the toilet. Trust her to remember that one. She's now putting toilet tissue in her undies in case she drips!!!!

Off to Disney on Ice later today.

disability student

As promised Annika and I stayed home on Wednesday. Given that I'd stressed my back exercising too vigorously at aqua on Monday, in an attempt to keep warm in the too cold water, I was glad to take it easy. Annika asked whether I wanted to be the teacher or the student. I don't know why she asked. She ALWAYS wants to be the teacher. So I asked if I could be the disability student lying on the couch. "Of course grandma." So I did my times tables and wrote my story lying on my back. She marshalled the remaining six students, planned school excursions, gave us recesses and gold stars.

I took her home in the evening and had dinner with the Hewers. "Ooh, my favourite dinner," says Mathew hoeing in with gusto, spaghetti flying everywhere. That boy loves his food. I love his enthusiasm. I think he was born with a pogo stick up his bum, he jumps up and down so fast and so constantly he makes your head spin.

I'm at Skye's house today. The parents have bought two new peices of equipment for her, a travel cot that looks like something you would take up Mount Everest, an all enclosed pop up affair in black. I call it 'base camp'. She's going to have great fun with that when she's two. The other is a high chair that looks like a step ladder, it has no tray but can be set close to a normal dining table. She christened it this morning, little head bobbing back and forth, a big grin on her face. Pictures to come. Now she has somewhere to eat her rice cereal in. She had her first taste yesterday, did quite well. That's another kid who loves her food, any way it comes.

No rain for once. I look forward to taking her for a ride in the pram this afternoon.

I wore the kid out

That's what Annika was complaining about last night. "Grandma we've done too much!' How do you think the 70 year old felt?

We left the house about 10 am, started off with aqua aerobics, one hour, then a ride in Kit's sports car with me following behind in the budget vehicle. Lunch at the bistro at St George League's Club then a trip to Cape Solander to see migrating whales making their way up the coast. With the help of Ed's binoculars we saw two of them and a pod of frisky dophins. It was a beautiful afternoon, the ocean a millpond and good visibility. On the way back Kit directed us to Dijon's, a catering outlet with all kinds of foodstuffs in bulk, all kinds of flours I'd never heard of, and other products from Tibet, Pakistan and other far flung places. Maxine (daughter) I think you would like this place.

We got home about 5pm, The kid kept visiting the toilet, on account of the over eating! Dinner was a very simple affair. Then the whining started, 'Grandma we've done too much today.'

Today we saw Toy Story 3 and came home to play schools. She's much happier especially since I promised to go nowhere tomorrow!

A visit to Lindt's chocolate cafe

As Annika says, 'it's like a dream'

more food news

In the coldest week of the year I tried two new recipes, Bobotie, a sort of South African version of Moussaka which I used to cook years ago in South Africa. We all cleaned our plates with that one. We followed it up with Stephanie Alexander's version of treacle sponge (actually made with golden syrup)which also turned out well. She uses lemon juice with the syrup which I liked, it cuts through the sweetness of the syrup.

I also made a frittata, using winter vegetables pre roasted in the oven. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't a glorified omelette. Nevertheless I enjoyed it

A friend at aqua aerobics gave me two recipes yesterday, one for a a sausage casserole which I'll be trrying soon, and a scone recipe that uses lemonade as the raising agent. Thanks to Masterchef, I now know that scones should be placed touching one another on the baking tray. A bit like people you can't rise to the occasion in isolation, you need others to help you along!

Annika is with me this week. I'm going dizzy playing Pictureka. She's so good at it she's contriving to lose to give me a chance to win. Oh the ignominy, the shame!!!!

We're going on the train to the city today where I'm going to introduce her to the delights of the Lindt chocolate shop, their macaroons and strawberries with dipping chocolate, yum!

Thanks for the early morning phone call Joan, always a delight to catch up with you. Where would I be without my very dear friends? I'd be like those unrisen scones, hard with not much life in me.

new recipes

Inspired by Masterchef Australia, I am going to try a new recipe once a week. Not one of theirs necessarily, but I need to get out of the doldrums of my hum drum, same old same old dishes.

This week's was a Masterchef one, their beef stroganoff, which is a cross between goulash and stroganoff. They use Paprika for one thing, something I never use in my recipe, Brandy (hello! I blew my newly formulated weekly budget on that) tomato paste, something I stopped putting in Stroganoff over 20 years ago, and creme fraiche rather than sour cream. Well I saw no difference between how the sour cream blended into the mix and how the creme fraiche did, therefore I will not be using that more expensive version in future. In fact I will not be making that version again. It was not bad, just different but I prefer my old recipe Anyone interested can find it on the Masterchef Australia website. I had fun making it.

Next dish is going to be a fritatta. I'll probably find that on line,as I do most of my recipes these days.

The earth has settled on its axis today. The new PM is forming her new Cabinet, Spain(my favourite team) is through to the round of 16 in the World Cup and England meet the old enemy Germany in their next match. Ah well more sleepless nights and groggy days ahead.

Three months old and Skye is working us. She knows it's bed time when we start fastening her into her sleeping bag and tells us off. She does not hide her feelings. Her chatterbox tendencies continue, yeah!!! (She's got to have something of mine to inherit)She loves songs and tries to sing herself. Lovely girl.

a wild twenty four hours

The planets are wobbling surely, must be something like that, so many strange things have happened in the last twenty four hours.

1) Biggest news here is a new prime minister. Even the pundits didn't see that coming as quickly and savagely as it did. Moreover she's a woman, Australia's first. Now we have a female prime minister, female governor, female state governor and female state premier in NSW. Wonderful!I like Julia Gillard the new PM. Hopefully she'll win in her own right at the next election. After talking about refusing to vote at the next one I will now vote Labor.

2) The longest tennis match in history. It's ridiculous, all those hours played over 2-3 days. I hope you weren't stuck there Valerie. I wonder what happened to the ticket holders for that match. Is it because the Queen attended for the first time in yonks? No I think it's those misaligned planets.

2) Italy and France are out of the world cup. (Yeah!!!!) The Asian teams are doing well, there's a changing of the guard.

3) England have beaten the Aussies at cricket...twice. They're looking good this season.

4) The American commander in Afghanistan dropped his bundle and has been given the flick.

Apart from that the sun keeps shining the rain keeps raining, babies keep growing, and my back is getting better, yeah!!!

Celebration

Last week the joy of music, this week the joy of reaching age 70 without a major mishap.

Maxine, Cristina and her mum pulled out all stops to provide wonderful food for my party. Ed lugged big speakers up to the fifth floor to help provide music which I must admit was lost in the cavernous room, amidst all the chat and laughter. Dirk pulled strings to provide the wonderful venue, and did a sterling job looking after Skye since her mother was too busy in the kitchen. Skye did the rounds in her pretty pink dress, looking a little startled.

I cried at my own speech, hard to speak when your throat is full of tears!

My writing buddies were as usual screaming with laughter. When I dropped in to overhear I discovered they were talking about body parts especailly the one beginning with 'V'. I wished I'd been in at the beginning on that topic of conversation!

It was a fun occasion, and I spent Sunday on the couch recovering, and since my back is playing up, it looks as though Monday is going to be spent the same way. Not a bad proposition since I have a couple of good books to read.

The joy of music

Thanks to my friend Helen, I spent a lovely afternoon in the Sydney Opera Concert Hall listening to the Australian Chamber Orchestra; wonderful Schubert and a rousing Brahms symphony which brought tears to my eyes.

It's amazing how humans can make music and that it can arouse such emotion. Also during one of the quieter passages I found myself developing some aspects of one of the characters in my novel. Maybe I should make a habit of listening to classical music before I begin writing each day. It might open up my mind.

Thankfully the wild weather that is predicted for later today held off. We had lunch and a wander round the Rocks Market beforehand. I managed to resist the temptation to buy a couple of tops but I've got the online address!

It's the last day of May tomorrow. Where has this year gone? My cactus is flowering late this year, I wonder if it's because of the unseasonal warmth. My neighbour says all the rain is because the ocean temp is about 23 degrees celsius, warm enough to swim in but too rainy to sit on the beach.

Got to get this off my chest.

I called dad this morning. He's got a date with a surgeon for a knee replacement at the end of June. We discussed a range of issues then I asked him how he voted in the recent British election. Big mistake.

'BNP' he said. At first I thought he was joking. But he wasn't. I screamed at him in disbelief. He used to be left of centre. I got my ideas of social justice especially in the workplace, from him. Now he's siding with the party whose members have swastikas tattooed on their bodies. It is an act of betrayal.

He wants Britain to be British. When I asked him what that meant he started raving on about immigrants. I pointed out that half of them were probably British born. I was so disappointed I couldn't speak for a while, even felt like putting the phone down on him. When he talked about someone in the family who is living on welfare under false pretences I reminded him that it was alright because they were BRITISH! I shall be making those kind of digs at him till one or other of us dies. UUgh!!!!!

On a much nicer note Skye visited the mini Hewers' home for the first time. The living room and play room are newly painted and carpeted, looking lovely. Of course Annika and Mathew wanted to hold the baby right away but when it came to Mathew's turn he buried his head in the settee. He is so shy that boy. Eventually we settled Skye on his lap but he kept his head down the whole time. In other ways he's very outgoing but every now and then the shyness bug hits him, and woe betide you if you hurt his feelings. After taking it all in, Skye rewarded us with her big beautiful smiles.

The roast pork was a success, especially the crackling (a la Masterchef) and Melissa's boyfriend's mum sent over a lovely Tiramisu. Skye was awake on the ride home looking at the world go by quietly content, an angel baby.

Rain

Heard today that we've had all May's rainfall by now, and it's still raining. This thirsty country needs it, not sure about Sydney though. One can only hope the rain is falling in all the right places.

About 9 15 am yesterday I heard helicopters circling for about 20 minutes, a pretty unusual occurrence round here. I found out later there had been a shooting in Campsie right in the middle of the main street. Turned out they were gas guns police were firing at a stolen car apparently bent on a robbery. It made its escape down the sidewalk. As far as I know they're still looking for the suspects. No one was hurt. I couldn't help thinking if I lived in certain sections of LA and such places I would be used to the noise. I don't know how those people stand it. No wonder they get het up.

I don't know about where you are but World Cup fever is brewing here. The Australian team, the Socceroos played a friendly against NZ, now there's a misnomer that ever was. Nothing is ever friendly against our rivals across the ditch. We won but only at the last minute, and it was not pretty. Their first game is against the powerhouse Germany. They'll have to play better than they did last night to beat them.

Must get ready for my 'Better Than Chocolate' talk this morning. Fortunately it's not far away. Hopefully I'll sell some books.

My cactus is bursting in bud. I'll be seeing flowers any day soon. It always reminds me of Alan, an ex neighbour, who gave it to me. He died in May a few years ago. RIP

A better offer

In the middle of creating my new 'writing' blog on Saturday morning I received a better offer in the form of a phone call from Ed. 'We're going to see Jessica Watson arrive in Sydney. do you want to come?' Took me two seconds to decide.

Sixteen year old Jessica has spent 210 days at sea circumnavigating the globe alone, non stop. Some claim it is not a true world record, (Eddie, and Maxine's ex amongst them) since she did not dip into the Northern hemisphere far enough. It was a great achievement nevertheless.

We got a glimpse of her as she stepped off her pink boat, and wobbled on her land legs up the pink carpet to be greeted by thousands of people including the prime minister and the premier of NSW Christina Keneally, who I thought gave the better of the two speeches.Jessica is a cool young woman who looked a bit bemused by all the hype.

It was a beautiful day. Cristina got to see inside a bit of the Opera house for the first time. Mathew and Annika expended energy running up and down the purple clad steps until they moved us out. Thank you for the call Ed, I had a great time.

I managed to work on the novel yesterday, not as much as planned, and I will finish getting the new blog together today, Polly's notebook. This afternoon I do a stint on 2RPH,reading Features. It will be the first time of reading without a cough from the post nasal drip so I'm looking forward to being in better voice.

Only a few lines

Who would believe that four lines of prose would take so much work...then there's the synopsis!!! I'm trying to get the novel Getting in Deep ready for publishing. Writing the novel is a doddle compared with trying to explain it in a few sentences. But this part is so crucial for getting a toe in the door, it has to be right. I've lost count of how many versions I've written. Thank goodness for my writing buddies to show me the error of my ways.

It's time to reward myself with a big cup of coffee before heading for aqua aerobics.

The cold weather has come at last, in the early mornings and late evenings at least. I got the heater out for the first time last night and am currently huddled in my favourite garment, the fluffy white dressing gown Kathie gave me. I live in it and, like my recliner which I also live in, it shows. Food spots and grime accumulate necessitating frequent washes. Can't do that with the recliner of course, I've got to call the professionals in for that, I've left it too long. I will call them soon!!!!!

Baby sitting Skye tonight and tomorrow then back on the radio on Monday. Will spend the weekend WRITING...unless I get a better offer!!!!

A few days away

Got back from Brisbane at the weekend after my 'nanny' stint with Skye while the parents partied on at a friend's wedding. That baby is a star traveller; she slept through her feed and nappy change at Sydney airport, on the plane, in the hire car and to the hotel. Easiest gig I've ever had! Got some film to work on now as Skye met her cousins and second cousins in Brisbane.

Given that our hotel overlooked the church I saw the bridal party arrive, and a colourful one it was too. The bride in white of course but she took so long to get out of the car I thought she'd changed her mind. Two bridesmaids were in red and two were in the same colour as our hire car, bright orange. Took me right back to the seventies.

The piece de resistance was the bride's mother. Not wishing to overshadow the blushing bride she donned silver sequins from head to toe with matching shoes and handbag. I thought she'd raided the aluminium foil dispenser.You could not take your eyes off her. I was temporarily blinded when the sun came out and hit those sequins full on. What was she thinking?

I returned to Sydney Saturday night, then on Sunday had Mother's Day lunch with Ed, Cris and the mini-Hewers at Wollongong golf club. Ligia and family plus Cris's mum were there too. Then Melissa showed up with boyfriend Mark who seems very nice, not too intimidated by us en masse. Lovely setting overlooking the golf course and the food was enjoyable, although we were envying Mark and Melissa going home to Mark's mother's home-made Tiramasu. It was a lovely day.

I've taken great pleasure in cancelling the op I was scheduled for in June, a sinus clean out. Ever since they told me about the post op care I've been freaking. Mercifully the little problem is clearing up on its own so I don't have to do all that washing out etc. Thanks to my immune system for getting on top of the situation, even though it has taken many months, and it aint over yet completely.

Got writer's group tomorrow. My buddies are going to pull my synopsis to bits and make my novel attractive for a publisher. Like its author, it needs a ton of Botox and drastic cosmetic surgery but between us we'll get her nice and sassy and irresistible. Who am I kidding!!!! We can but try.

catching up

Got a bit to catch up on given the time that has elapsed since I last posted.

First of all baby Skye is plumping out nicely and she can hold her head up with all the other North shore babies and their fancy prams. Her smooth-action red buggy is not out of place with the other designer carriages jockeying for position in the elevators of Chatswood Chase shopping centre.

I'm sure there's a breeding program in full swing in the area. Must be the baby bonus set up by the Howard government to encourage a 'baby for the country.' Ed and Cris did their bit with Mathew and my suburb is obviously busy working on it. Mind you the strollers are not so fancy in my neck of the woods.

Thanks to Tizzie Hall's settling techniques, Skye gets herself off to sleep beautifully. She has started to smile although she gives them out sparingly and after some encouragement. Is this a sign of the nature of her personality I wonder or is it early days of practising something new? We will see.

On another note two of my writing buddies and I had a successful day selling copies of Better than Chocolate this week to a delightful group of women of the Chicken and Chablis set. More money for needy children's education,, thanks everyone. I wore my pearls for the occasion but they shrank in comparison with the big orbs strung around one woman's neck.

Have sent three short stories to competitions this week but now I really must get down to re-reading the latest version of my novel and finishing it once and for all.

Annika and Mathew spent the night with me last weekend, the first time I have had both of them stay over. I thought there might be an argument about which bed each would want but there wasn't. Mathew had the single bed, and after a reading session about Bullwinkle the Fire moose, and clutching a moose ornament I happened to have he went to sleep without fuss. Annie and I watched Masterchef Australia together then she went quietly too.

The next day we went to the pool, tried the Aquatic centre at Homebush first but it was closed for ANZAC day so we ended up at my aqua pool with a promise of McDonalds afterwards. 'But grandma you said you would never take us to McDonald's' pipes up Annika. 'I know but you've had a disappointment so it's a treat,' says I. She'd been so excited about showing Mathew the Olympic pool for the first time, I felt sorry for her when we couldn't go. But it's back to the 'No Mcdonald's rule now, same as I did with Melissa.

April has been one of the warmest on record and it has been beautiful. This weekend is promising to be pleasant again after a rainy day yesterday.

I booked my o/seas trip this week using frequent flyer points: Sydney - New York on Sept 8 returning on Oct 24 with a month in UK and a visit to Graceland thrown in. It is my 70th birthday treat to myself. Before then I have the Darwin - Broome trip which will be pretty tropical. After this I really must settle down!!!

I'd better quit. I want to get to the grocery store before the hordes converge. Campsie is becoming overcrowded and unpleasant, all that breeding I suppose! I will make a concerted effort to attend to my blog more frequently from now on.

Skye-larking with the new granddaughter

You know all those images you see of mother breastfeeding contented baby? Well spare a thought for the ten mothers behind that picture of serenity; the ten pairs of cracked nipples; the ten intakes of breath when baby latches on with her vice-like jaw; the ten stifled cries of pain; the ten toes curling up in agony; the beat of ten breast pumps; the baggy eyes; the tears. Can't show that in the parenting magazines; it might mean the end of the human race!

In spite of all that baby Skye is thriving. She sleeps well and cries when she wants to feed. But we have to be ready on the spot before the roof caves in with her fury. You know exactly how she feels about having to wait!!!! She wants it NOW if not before. She keeps us on our toes and in a fog of half sleep and confusion. We have to keep lists and charts to keep track of it all.

Last night we put the clocks back, a time to savour usually, that extra hour of sleep. Not with a newborn. It is more like an EXTRA hour of daylight, time to do more things.

However, it is fun. Especially when she smiles, even if it is wind sometimes. It is a promise of things to come. Worth the broken sleep, the late lunches the snatched showers.

Tardy blogger

I have an excuse for not blogging last week,namely things medical, namely a cold and now a hacking cough which woke me every hour last night.Ugh!!! I am now on my 3rd round of antibiotics with a 4th to follow. At least they dry up my dripping nose but I'm scheduled for a sinus wash out. Mind you since I heard about the post op care, (I'll spare you the gory details) I'm really hoping the drugs will do the trick and I can cancel.

My stint at 2 RPH yesterday afternoon was so so. I had to run out of the studio part way through the afternoon to cough. Enough of that.

I'm going to a fun evening tonight, my friend Yvonne's book launch, 'A brush with Mondrian.' It's lovely to share my writing buddies' successes. Another one, Teri has won a place, one of five, at a mentor-ship for romance writers. Not my genre but there's always a demand for romance novels.

Meanwhile I've finished my first novel... for the second time, or it may be the third, I'm losing count. It's a few thousand words short of what's acceptable so I've got to fix that. Fortunately on the way home from the radio station I heard a progam on the radio which gave me an idea to do just that.

Also I wrote a short story while killing time before going to 2RPH yesterday. Will submit to a writing competition, word limit 750 words.

The exchange rate is looking good for my forthcoming o/s trip later this year. Well may the upward trend continue.

Saw the kiddy-winks at the weekend. Mathew looked so cute in his football outfit, a Portuguese club naturally, courtesy of his big sister. Naturally we played ball in the garden, not football but batting a beach ball with a tennis racquet. The kid blamed me for ALL his misses. I pointed out that they were not all my fault, sometimes he just missed them. Then he started saying they were 'a accident grandma.' It so reminded me of my kids when something went wrong, they said exactly the same thing. Kids cotton on fast don't they? Annika swanned around in her tutu.

The annual portrait painting competition is on again. It seems to come around so fast. It's called the Archibald, and I try to see the exhibits every year and vote in the people's choice competition. It opens to the public next week.

I'm going to aqua aerobics today, brush the cobwebs away. Hopefully I'll have time for a nap before facing rush hour traffic going to the North side for the book launch tonight.

Nudies on the Opera house steps

It is the first day of Autumn and that American photographer was in Sydney this morning marshalling a few thousand nude people to pose on the opera house steps. A bit ironic since it is the first cool morning we've had in months. Look for goose bumps!

We had a lovely baby shower at Maxine's yesterday, a wonderful eclectic group of family and friends, not to mention the delicious food Maxine prepared. Many of us brought our favourite children's books for Baby Meinecke's library. A highlight was the 'Dad's Survival Kit' Cristina made: goggles, (for squirts and throw-ups) masks, (for odours) ear plugs (for screaming, both baby's and parent's) which Dirk promptly put in his nose, and rubber gloves (obvious, yuk!)and tongs (for non-touch technique). It was hilarious.

Only four weeks to go. I'm getting excited.

I've made some decisions about the novel I feel good about, and will start putting some changes in place this week. I think it will make my main character more sympathetic.

I have been reading a manuscript of one of my writing buddies this weekend, very enjoyable but needing some work. This same author has a short story in the Women's Weekly this month, very sweet. I'm also looking forward to Yvonne's book launch. (another writing buddy) It is called Brush with Mondrian and is in the shops today but we are having a little party to celebrate later this month. I wonder which one of us will get a publishing deal this year!!!

Well the Tsunami didn't hit us but those poor Chileans copped it badly. There seems to be a major climactic disaster once a month. Australia's disaster will come gradually I think. All the rivers will dry up, agriculture will fail, famine will ensue etc....

Meanwhile we live our little lives trying not to think about it and hoping the politicians and scientists get it right.

Have a good week people. At least I didn't get a parking fine this Monday (as I did last week). I didn't go anywhere.

Things I have learned...

After a couple of days with Mathew at my place, things I have learned about him are:
if you want the answer to be yes he will say no;
his (whatever it is) is always the biggest, the highest, the prettiest, the longest, the strongest....you get the picture.
his feeling are easily hurt;
when he wants something he wants it NOW
he always eats 2 breakfasts
he sleeps still, unlike his sister whose legs flail all over the place;
he knows all the words to the Roary video and has almost got Chuggington's down;
he loves throwing things, hammering things, and whizzing things round and round, preferably near the television;
he loves showing off, especially at the swimming pool before he jumps in.

Ah well what else can you expect from a three year old boy?

We had a good time, swimming at Kit's pool, having a ride in her sports car, eating fish and chips, playing at the park, particularly the swings ('push me harder grandma!') more swimming at Canterbury pool, crayoning with his new 'no-mess' crayons (my coffee table is pristine)and reading about Bullwinkle the fire moose.
Thank you Mathew, we'll do it again some time.

convergence of cultures

Went to the shopping centre at 9am yesterday to beat the crowds. I barely made it, what with Saint Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year happening all at once. With Campsie being
Asian in flavour, people were streaming in to shop. The place is festooned with red, shiny balloons and hearts one side, red lanterns and good luck charms the other. When I left half an hour later, cars were queuing for parking spaces. I was glad to get out of there.

What is the year of the tiger going to bring?

Anyone born in this year is 'courageous, active and self assured. Optimistic, passionate and independent. Rebellious (watch out Maxine and Dirk!) dynamic and unpredictable. Quick tempered but considerate, affectionate but careless. The tiger is a natural born leader and symbolises power, passion and daring.' Oooh! Sounds exciting to have a tiger in our midst.

What is happening to the weather? Heaviest snowfalls in Lincolnshire for a long time and helicoptering in snow for the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Now I believe it's pouring with rain there. Sydney has had floods this weekend and the humidity keeps on keeping on, well into the third month. Migraines have gone to twice a week instead of once a week as a result. That's why I had to go to the shopping centre... for more drugs!

A big mea culpa to Eddie for forgetting to credit him with fixing my letter 'e', not to mention jump starting my car last weekend, AND printing off the invitations and other sundries for the forthcoming baby shower. Where would I be without you!

Did my first readings on the radio for the visually impaired last week, 2RPH. It went quite well. The first time I sat in with two readers who were completely silent in between readings. The second time the readers and announcer were chatting, joking, and generally being hilarious in between. I was worried in case the announcer forgot to turn off the mikes. But it relaxed me and they were very encouraging. The first news piece I chose had a lot of Arabic names in it. Why I did that I don't know but I got through it okay. The second was all about theatre, which of course I sailed through. My next date with the mike is March 5 at 6am, the Breakfast show. Better have a few cups of tea on board for that one.

first cool (ish) night in months

It is pouring with rain and I have a flat battery...in the car that is although the personal one could do with some jump leads. This humidity is sapping. Sorry my American friends who are now snowed in and threatening to eat their pets. I guess we're never satisfied.

At least I've started writing again although re writing is more accurate. I am working on the first novel. It is going somewhere this year even if I have to publish it myself! Problem is there are no young people in it and no sex. Publishers like that. There is a litany of 'accidental' deaths though, that should count for something don't you think, with a publisher somewhere? I will press on regardless.

I am thinking of writing about my ex boyfriends, husbands and lovers. It would be a tragi-comic tale, mainly comic! It will need wit and verve most of which has etherised in the humidity. Never thought I'd say this but roll on winter!

Another of our writing group has her book published this year, on March 1. It is a memoir centred around Dutch paintings. It is beautifully designed and put together, and I can't wait to read it. It is called a Brush with Mondrian. Also another of our group has her story printed in the Australian Women's Weekly next month. She won $5,000.00 as a runner up. It's exciting to share in these successes, it keeps me going.

Having succeeded in the auditions, next week I'm sitting in at the radio station for the visually impaired, 2RPH. After that I become a 'reader'. We read newspapers mainly but also magazine articles and even stories sometimes. Our audience is about 150,000. Beats little old Mount Vernon where I did radio for a while. I've been getting the voice in trim, practising at home. It takes it out of you.

Meanwhile the Australian cricketers keep winning, my Fantasy Premier league soccer team has moved up to 15th place from 32nd and the family is in good health. What more could anyone want?
TO GET MY BOOK PUBLISHED THAT'S WHAT!!!!!!

missing letter

For some reason the laptop has rejected the letter 'e'. Of all the letters to spit out why that one? Why not an x or a z or a q, something I hardly ever use? Now there is a little knob where the letter e used to be. So tiresome, something I'll have to fix otherwise my sentences will look like this: 'for som rason th laptop has rjctd th lttr .' Makes a big difference that pesky letter.

It's still warm (my excuse for doing not much). I have been glued to the box, watching cricket and tennis. Must say I will be rooting for Andy Murray in the men's final, at last an English player with some mongrel in him (must be the influence of that boxer friend of his) Plus he has speed and a big serve. Should be good.

The kids started back to school yesterday, not sure how Annika's day went, I couldn't get hold of them yesterday to find out. She is in Year 2 now.

Have been looking at an itinerary for a trip to Broome (of pearl diving fame) and Darwin, both places in Australia I have not yet visited. It looks good, and I can just fit it in before heading for UK and Graceland in September.

Writing group reconvenes next week, am looking forward to catching up with my writing buddies. Plus I have an idea for a short story which I'm going to send into a competition. So back to the grindstone next week aftr th summr break - see what I mean about those es? I have to keep going back to put them in. Should make the short story look interesting.

reliving my childhood

Mon: Spent the early(ish) morning cutting out a doll (Barbie) pasting her on cardboard and cutting out her clothes to dress her. How I used to love this as a kid. I think I had more fun than Annika. We've made another house this week, one draped with materials and wool. I'm so glad I don't throw anything away, it comes in so handy for kid minding. The house looks like a squat, hippie style.

Tues: Endured another morning watching the Chipmunks movie. Am I alone in not being able to figure out what they say? At least I managed to avoid the 3D version, they charge an arm and a leg for that! Afterwards went mad spending some of my savings on a new mini backpack and a lovely leather wallet. Also bought a game, Pictureka, great fun, and at least I can hold my own against sharp eyed Annika, unlike the memory game where she still kills me, and has been doing since she was three years old.

Today, having a peaceful, cool, morning watching cricket on TV and trying to avoid touching my sunburnt shoulders, the places the sunscreen missed after two sunny days at the pool with Annika. This time we played Chuggington. For those not well versed in children's TV these are trains. We backed up against the lane rope, filled our 'carriages' with whatever took Annika's fancy then chugged over to the wall and 'emptied' them out. Now I am blessed with a considerable amount of patience but...she'd still be doing it if I hadn't called a halt. At least the kid has imagination. I love that.

We had to be in the outdoor pool because the indoor one was being used for classes. At noon it emptied and we were allowed in. At 1205 we had to evacuate because some little tyke decided to 'evacuate' into the pool, did a poo in other words. It's the same pool Annie threw up in a few weeks ago. I'm getting leery about going back in there!

where's the wildlilfe?

Watched NYE fireworks from Bradfield Park North Sydney. The midnight ones were spectacular from our position close to the bridge. It''s a great spot.

Just got back from three days in Merimbula on the south coast of NSW. First stop was Pebbly Beach near Ulladulla, guaranteed kangaroo sighting, even rumoured to be seen surfing. My sister was excited. She was going to see kangaroos in the wild!! NOT...We saw kangaroo poo, and paw prints in the sand but no live specimens. Very disappointing.

Made Central Tilba in a rain shower, managed to purchase some yummy cheese and move on out of the rain.

What would a holiday be without some retail activity? Our hotel was close to town, and one of the best clothes shop in the area. Found some Capri pants for yours truly, with the second pair being half price. Had to do it didn't I?

Walked over two miles along the boardwalk to the accompaniment of Bell birds. At least they are more melodic than the ear splitting cicadas which drowned out the car radio en route.

Found a needlecraft centre in the middle of nowhere. Maxine said before we went in 'Oh, this'll be naff!' An hour later and several dollars poorer we left! What a gem of a place for needle workers like Maxine.

Later went on a dolphin cruise in Merimbula. We saw an Australian fur seal waving its flipper in the air to cool off but not a dolphin in sight. Maxine was developing a cynical attitude.

On the way home, she finally believed kangaroos existed when we saw a dead one by the side of the road with its legs sticking up in the air. Then she saw a lone camel in a field followed by a group, mob, herd??? of alpacas. A few dead wombats and that was the sum of Australian wildlife on this trip. Gee Australia can't you do better than that? It's embarrassing.

At least she got a bit of a tan.